Kollam, July 14: In order to nab the child rape accused, Kollam Police Commissioner Merin Joseph and her team went to Riyad in Saudi Arabia. The accused, Sunil Kumar, a native of Kollam, was a labourer in Saudi Arabia. During his visit in 2017, he sexually assaulted his friend's niece for three months and before the crime came to light he had fled to UAE, reported The News Minute.

The 13-year-old girl, who shared her ordeal with her family, was shifted to Government Mahila Mandiram rescue home. Devasted by the sexual assault, the girl committed suicide. Before this, the victim's uncle who has introduced Kumar to the family also killed himself. Rape of 9-Year-Old in Mumbai: Alleged Rapist's Family Members Arrested For Threatening Police.

Merin Joseph, an IPS took charge of Kollam in June 2019, had reviewed all the pending cases mostly the crime against women. She found that an Interpol notice was issued for Kumar in 2017, but the case never progressed, as it required to continue follow-up with other countries, reported The News Minute. A few days later, Kerala police were informed that Kumar was in Saudi police custody.

Wasting no time, Joseph decided to go and nab the accused. Sunil Kumar Bhadran has now become the first person from Kerala to be extradited from Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, he will be booked under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code for rape and under POCSO Act.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2019 05:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).